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Cornwall takes issue with Alden Place's booking policy

Council members said the site is violating its agreement by making private facilities available to the public

By Douglas Stump

For The Lebanon Daily News

Updated:
02/11/2014 12:33:20 PM EST

Cornwall >> Borough Council, responding to information received from the Planning and Zoning Commission, will take steps to stop the owner of Alden Place from making its facilities available to the public for private events.

According to its meeting minutes, the commission in August 2012 questioned whether "the renting out of the Community Center at Alden Place to the general public for wedding receptions, etc., was permitted under the original approval of the Alden Place Development."

It was later determined it was not permitted, and Louis Hurst, a principal of Alden Homes at Cornwall Inc., was informed that the recreational facilities and open space at Alden Place must be for the use of the residents of the development only.

The commission this month learned that the Community Center continues to be booked for events by the public, and members asked consulting engineer Steve Dellinger to inform the Lebanon County Planning Department, the borough's zoning officer, of the apparent violation.

Dellinger informed council Monday that the application approval for Cornwall Associates, dated 2004, states: "The applicant has indicated that all common open space (and recreational facilities) will be for the express use of the residents of the development — not for the public at large."

Council also asked Dellinger to refer the matter to the county planners with the understanding that council is not asking Alden Place to cancel any events currently booked but to refrain from accepting further reservations.

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Dellinger also reported his firm, Hanover Engineering, acting as engineer for the borough, recommends 10 waivers of requirements of the stormwater and land-development ordinance be granted to Cornwall Manor for its new health center.

Councilman Anthony Fitzgibbons said there is "too much junk in the ordinance" if it is necessary to grant 10 waivers from its requirements.

"I suggest a review of the ordinance if this happens on a recurring basis to look at what you have and what you need in it," he said.

Dellinger said the Cornwall Manor plan was unique due to the existing development around it. Council agreed to the waivers.

In other business:

• Highway superintendent Tom Smith reported his department has exceeded the amount budgeted for overtime pay by $1,719 so far this winter but has spent $13,738 less than the amount budgeted for salt and anti-skid materials.